George North and Dan Lydiate will return to the international arena when Wales face South Africa on Saturday, with premier tight-head Tomas Francis on the bench.
North lines up at centre, with Lydiate at blindside flanker as both arrive back on the big stage having missed out on international call-ups since the 2021 Six Nations due to serious knee injuries.
They are part of a Wales starting XV which sees eight changes from the run-on side that lost 22-21 to Italy on the final day of the Six Nations. Francis, meanwhile, will ride the pine with Dillon Lewis filling the No. 3 shirt. The Ospreys prop was battling a back injury last week but he may also be on the bench in a bid to neutralise the replacement Springbok loose-head Steven Kitshoff, who is just as strong as starter Ox Nche.
Live updates: Wales hold press conference and name team for first Test against South Africa
Juggernaut North is joined in the midfield by Nick Tompkins, while Liam Williams comes back into the side at full-back, completing the back three with Gloucester flyer Louis Rees-Zammit and Cardiff try machine Josh Adams. Dan Biggar captains the side from fly-half, with Kieran Hardy getting his chance as the scrum-half carousel continues to go around.
In the back-row, Leicester's Premiership winner Tommy Reffell will make his Wales debut at openside despite only having a handful of training sessions with the squad, with Lydiate and the dependable Taulupe Faletau in the back-row. Josh Navidi will have to wait for his opportunity on the bench.
Former skipper Alun Wyn Jones has been dropped having started the Italy debacle, with Will Rowlands reinstated alongside Adam Beard. Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias and Ospreys loose-head Gareth Thomas complete the front row alongside Lewis.
Gareth Anscombe, who arrived in South Africa 48 hours late having stayed behind in the hope of seeing the birth of his second child, is among the replacements.
South Africa, meanwhile, have named a formidable side which includes 10 starters from the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. One of the changes comes at fly-half, where Elton Jantjies slots in for Handre Pollard.
What's your verdict on the Wales v South Africa teams? Have your say in the comments section here:
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi (capt), Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies Willie le Roux.
Wales: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar (capt), Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dillon Lewis; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacementss: Dewi Lake, Rhys Carre, Tomas Francis, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Owen Watkin.
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